The Gamma Tau Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa welcomed six new members this year. The new members of Gamma Tau are Barbara Hicks, Christy Smith, Myra Thomas, Melanie Wynne, Tami Vaughn and Mary Coleman. These new members were initiated at the January meeting. The Gamma Tau Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa was formed in 1995 and has a rich history of educators who have exhibited professional and personal growth, by combining their energies and talents to enrich their lives as well as the lives of others. The Gamma Tau Chapter is led by Billie Odom, president; Donna Cady, president elect; Patricia Powell, vice president; Catherine Jansco, recording secretary; Sandra Pruden, corresponding secretary; Sandy Fretz, treasurer; Cindy Dawson, historian; Roslyn Gragg, Sergeant At Arms; Patrice Pearce, chaplain; Kay Hargrove, parliamentarian and Jo Green, past president, all whom are active or retired educators.

Alpha Delta Kappa is an international organization of women educators dedicated to educational excellence, altruism and world understanding. There are more than 45,000 Alpha Delta Kappa members in more than 1,600 chapters. Chapters are located in all 50 states of the United States and around the world in Australia, Canada, Jamaica, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Alpha Delta Kappa members have discovered the many opportunities of membership in this organization. These opportunities include recognition of their commitment to educational excellence, personal and professional growth and working together for the good of their schools, their communities, the teaching profession and the world.

Alpha Delta Kappa members are noted for their altruism. Recognizing that local chapters are the foundation of Alpha Delta Kappa, the Gamma Tau Chapter makes annual contributions to the organizations international altruistic project at St. Jude Children’s Hospital and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Contributions are made to Alpha Delta Kappa state altruistic projects at Camp Carefree and the Ronald McDonald House annually also. Gamma Tau members reached out on the local level this year providing teddy bears to the Spring Hope Police Department and Christmas bags for Nash County Social Services.

Local altruistic programs in past years have included purchasing cleaning supplies for the Bassett Center, supplying personal hygiene items for My Sister’s House, and donating to Braswell Memorial Library.

The Gamma Tau Chapter also funds a chapter scholarship that is presented annually to a local senior in the Nash-Rocky Mount School System to help further his education.

Alpha Delta Kappa members bond together during monthly chapter meetings, at state conventions, regional conferences and international conventions. These women educators share fraternally, grow professionally and personally, while touching the lives of many others along the way. Outstanding women educators of Alpha Delta Kappa lead with a vision for the future and are dedicated to Excellence in Action.